Description 

This presentation will explore the burgeoning landscape of smartphone applications designed for therapeutic purposes, examining both the significant potential they hold for enhancing mental health care and the challenges they present. We'll delve into how these apps promise to democratize access to therapy, offering tools for mood tracking, stress management, and cognitive behavioral therapy exercises right at users' fingertips. Additionally, we will learn how these apps work, including their algorithms and user interface design, to provide personalized mental health support. However, concerns regarding the efficacy, privacy, and regulation of these digital interventions will also be critically assessed. The presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role that phone apps could play in the future of mental health treatment.

Format 

Recorded webinar.

This content was recorded during the Virtual Immersive on April 24, 2024.

Learning Objectives 

• Acquire an understanding of the criteria and processes used for evaluating therapy applications, gaining an overview of app evaluation methods.
• Differentiate between therapy applications that utilize chatbots and those that do not, examining their unique features and user experiences.
• Comprehend the mechanisms of AI-powered therapy apps, including how artificial intelligence contributes to their functionality and service delivery.
• Assess the promise of therapy apps by reviewing the evidence surrounding their efficacy and the impact they have on mental health care.
• Recognize the limitations of therapy apps, including the challenges they face in terms of reliability, scope, and user engagement.

Target Audience 

Medical Students, Residents/Fellows, Psychiatrists, non-psychiatrist Physicians

Estimate Time to Complete 

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hour 
Program Start Date: December 17, 2024
Program End Date: December 17, 2027

How to Earn Credit 

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may do so after completing all sections of the course including the evaluation. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the completion date and hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit  

In support of improving patient care, the American Psychiatric Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

The APA designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Faculty and Planner Disclosures 

The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity — including faculty, planners, reviewers or others — are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. 

Instructors 

• Manu Sharma, MD.

Planners  

• Vishal Madaan, MD, Chief of Education and Deputy Medical Director at the American Psychiatric Association.

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities 

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. Please contact the American Psychiatric Association at 202-559-3900, if you require assistance seven (7) business days prior to the start of a live webinar. 

Technical Requirements 

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following: 

• The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari 
• Internet Explorer 11+ 

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player. 

Optimal System Configuration: 

• Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version) 
• Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version) 
• Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact learningcenter@psych.org for technical assistance